Glacier discovery guide

1. Drive the famous Going-to-the-Sun-Road: Have your cameras ready for this one folks. The world famous GTSR climbs twists and climbs it’s way through some of Glacier National Park’s most spectacular scenery for about 50 miles. Start at the West Glacier entrance, drive along Lake McDonald (don’t forget to stop & take some pictures!) through the forest & then begin the climb towards Logan Pass. You will be rewarded with views in every direction. Stop at the visitor center for souvenirs & be on the lookout for both mountain goats & bighorn sheep as they can be commonly seen up here. Begin descending towards St. Mary’s Lake as you drop away from the continental divide. It will take about 2 hours to get across the 50 mile road because of slow speed limits (trust us – you wouldn’t want to drive fast on this road!), plan on another 2 hours back to the kampground via either Going-to-the-Sun-Road or highway 2.

2. Take a Red Bus Tour: If you aren’t bringing your own transportation or are just looking to learn about some of Glacier’s history & would rather not drive up a road with steep drop-offs on your own while enjoying the views, then this is the perfect option for you. Make sure to book far in advance. This is the most popular attraction in Glacier and it’s always a bummer when someone comes thinking that they can get on one last minute & then not be able to.

3. Hiking: There are over 700 miles of hiking trails in Glacier National Park. Among the most popular on the west side of the park are the hikes to Avalanche Lake, Apgar Lookout, Hidden Lake Overlook & Hidden Lake and the Highline Trail. Some of the popular east side hikes include Grinnell Glacier, Iceberg Lake, Cracker Lake & Siyeh Pass. If you’re bringing a furry family member or just want to get away from the hustle & bustle of the tourist season in Glacier nearby hiking areas include the Bob Marshall Wilderness, the Jewel Basin & more. Don’t forget bear spray!

4. Climbing: There is no area in Glacier where technical climbing is recommended; however, there are many mountain peaks that can be accessed as class I-IV “scrambles.” If you’re interested in something more challenging and rewarding than traditional hiking this can be a great way to go and you will be rewarded with incredible 360° views. Purchase one (or all!) of the Climb Glacier National Park books that are sold in our kampstore.

5. Paddle-boarding/Kayaking/Canoeing: Get a view of Glacier’s most beautiful that most people just drive by – rent your choice of equipment from one of the several shops in Apgar Village & get up close and personal with the pristine waters of Lake McDonald.

6. Take a ferry ride! Almost all of the major lakes in Glacier National Park offer ferry rides. Like the Red Bus Tours, we recommend booking in advance for these as they are quite popular! Some of the ferry rides will even lead you to hiking trails.

Horseback Riding: If you’re looking for an authentic Western Montana experience then head over to Swan Mountain Outfitters & book one of their several West Glacier trail rides!